Chris Low 2024 Speaker

Senior Advisor

Independent

Biography

Chris is on the Board of United Bank For Africa (UK) Ltd, the London based subsidiary of Nigeria’s second largest and NSE listed bank with a 20 country African presence as well as operations in New York, Dubai and Paris. Also he sits as an INED on the Boards of ASA International Group Plc, a leading international microfinance business operating in 13 emerging markets (8 in Africa) and of Ed Partners Africa Holdings Limited that finances and supports affordable schools in Kenya. For 2+years to early 2023 he was I&M Group Plc’s Regional Director for its East Africa businesses (Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Mauritius), based in Nairobi. Further he advises a number of FinTech start-ups in Kenya, Tanzania and Nigeria, sits on the Board of the Scottish African Business Association and is an Investment Committee member of the Zephyr Acorn Fund that invests in early-stage companies using technology for impact. With over 30 years in international financial services and digital transformation, Chris has worked for Letshego Holdings PLC (Botswana – GCEO), Standard Chartered Plc (UK, Asia and Africa – roles included CEO, India and Chairman of Nepal, CEO Tanzania; GM/CEO East Africa/Kenya and CEO South Africa), National Bank of Kuwait (Middle East – Deputy CEO, International Banking) and Goldman Sachs (London). Also he has advised the UK Government’s Financial and Professional Services Sector Team (part of the Department of International Trade) on strategies for engaging with the UK banking sector to promote trade and investment. Chris trained as a Chartered Accountant with Arthur Andersen & Co after reading Zoology at St Peters College, Oxford University. His outside interests include art and antiques, fly-fishing, travel and sustainability.